Benitez is poised to make a managerial comeback with the ex-Liverpool boss favourite to take over from Quique Sanchez Flores at Atletico Madrid next season, says the Daily Mail.

Quique joined Atletico in October 2009 replacing Abel Resino and led them to success in the Europa League last season, beating Fulham 2-1 in the final.

But the 46-year-old is expected to leave Atletico at the end of the season after the club went out of this season's competition at the group stage and are 8th in La Liga with hopes of European football quickly fading.

Benitez began his coaching career at Real Madrid's youth sides and is keen to return to management after his brief six-month spell in Serie A ended last December.